London Irish hooker Paice deserves England chance, says Moody

00:00, 7 November 2012

Bygetreading

David Paice’s journey back into the international fold undoubtedly spins out a good yarn, but former England captain Lewis Moody believes the London Irish hooker’s feel-good factor extends beyond merely a good tale

David Paice’s journey back into the international fold undoubtedly spins out a good yarn, but former England captain Lewis Moody believes the London Irish hooker’s feel-good factor extends beyond merely a good tale.

The 28-year-old is back with England, having spent four years in international exile since making two appearances off the bench in defeats in New Zealand.

Back in 2008 you couldn’t move for Red Rose hookers, with Lee Mears, a soon-to-be returning Steve Thompson, George Chuter and an up-and-coming Dylan Hartley all putting their hands up.

This meant that Paice found opportunities on the international stage hard to come by but fast forward four years and the scene looks very different following the retirements of Thompson and Mears, as well as Rob Webber being forced to sit out with injury.

Leicester’s Tom Youngs has burst on the scene but Stuart Lancaster’s options to fill the No.2 jersey are few and far between, meaning Paice’s return from the wilderness couldn’t be better timed.

“David had a couple of caps and has now come back in and although it is a very different story to Tom Youngs it is still a fantastic one,” said Moody, speaking at the launch of this season’s LV= Cup launch.

“And although it is still not certain how much game time he will get in an England shirt his importance is already being felt.

“We have had some retirements in the hooker position recently with Lee Mears retiring and Rob Webber picking up an injury, so we really only have had Dylan Hartley as a young upcoming hooker.

“He needs to be pushed if he is to continue his progression and stay at the top of his game and that is what David will do, so he has come back into the fold right at the ideal time.

“He will be eager to prove that he is better than what he was, and I think he is, but just his arrival pushing the other hookers on is key too.”

Youngs started life as a centre before moving to the front row, meaning that while he offers something different to the role, he is often criticised for the basics – such as his scrummaging and line-out play.

There are no such problems on that front for Paice who has only ever known the one position.

And former British and Irish Lion Moody believes this could play into his hands.

“David’s return to the England set-up is very well deserved,” Moody added.

“David has been superb for London Irish and has been in great form and really warrants the call-up.

“Yes, he has a second chance with England and, yes, he is good enough to play for England and will be playing with a fire in his belly after being left out for some time.

“There is no doubt that he is better than he was four years ago and he really commands that London Irish front row at the line-out and at the scrum.

“These two strengths are the things that Tom, sometimes unfairly, gets criticised for so it could play into his hands, but we will have to wait and see.”

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